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The Books for Babies scheme was launched on June
6, 2003 by the Napier Public Libraries. Library Manager, Leslie Clague, is
pleased that a series of community partnerships created this scheme. The
idea came from Napier's Deputy Mayor Kathie Furlong and is based on similar schemes running in
Christchurch and the United States. Child health providers, Plunket
Society, Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri, and Parents As First Teachers, will be
distributing the Books for Babies gift packs.
At the first visit by a nurse to a new-born baby
in Napier, the parents or care-givers will receive a gift pack consisting of a
black-&-white picture board book, a how-to brochure, & library membership forms
for both the parents and children. All this courtesy of the Napier Public
Libraries and the Rotary Club of Napier.
Penguin Books have developed these books
specially for babies between the ages of 0 and six months: the high contrast
black-&-white pictures make it easier for babies of this age to focus on the
pictures. Parents will be encouraged to read the books to their baby from
a very early age - research has shown that children who are read to from infancy
do better at school and at life in general.
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Photograph supplied by Hawke's Bay Today
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